June 2016

Make America's Guns Great Again

By Todd Woodard

I am rarely worried when I write these editorials, but this time I am. Here, we are all Brothers and Sisters of the Gun, a community of folks who like to read about, shoot, maintain, accessorize, and buy and sell handguns, rifles, shotguns, and parts. There are few, if any, anti-gun readers sitting in their parents’ basements in their pajamas — really, what would be the point of subscribing? So, with that said, I’m simply doing my job here and filling this space with gun-rights-related material because, sadly, politics matter in our ability to enjoy firearms freely.

But any time Donald J. Trump’s name gets mentioned, folks tend to get agitated for him, or about him, or against him. I’m merely making sure that my readers know what the putative Republican presidential nominee has to say about firearms because it might get overlooked otherwise. Straight from his website, here are the major points of Trump’s recently released gun-policy ideas headlined “Defend The Rights of Law-Abiding Gun Owners.”

GUN AND MAGAZINE BANS. Gun and magazine bans are a total failure. That’s been proven every time it’s been tried. Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like “assault weapons”, “military-style weapons” and “high capacity magazines” to confuse people. What they’re really talking about are popular semi-automatic rifles and standard magazines that are owned by tens of millions of Americans. Law-abiding people should be allowed to own the firearm of their choice. The government has no business dictating what types of firearms good, honest people are allowed to own.

BACKGROUND CHECKS. There has been a national background check system in place since 1998. Every time a person buys a gun from a federally licensed gun dealer – which is the overwhelming majority of all gun purchases – they go through a federal background check. Study after study has shown that very few criminals are stupid enough to try and pass a background check – they get their guns from friends/family members or by stealing them. So the overwhelming majority of people who go through background checks are law-abiding gun owners. When the system was created, gun owners were promised that it would be instant, accurate and fair. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case today. Too many states are failing to put criminal and mental health records into the system – and it should go without saying that a system’s only going to be as effective as the records that are put into it. What we need to do is fix the system we have and make it work as intended. What we don’t need to do is expand a broken system.

NATIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY. The right of self-defense doesn’t stop at the end of your driveway. That’s why I [Trump] have a concealed carry permit and why tens of millions of Americans do too. That permit should be valid in all 50 states. A driver’s license works in every state, so it’s common sense that a concealed carry permit should work in every state. If we can do that for driving – which is a privilege, not a right – then surely we can do that for concealed carry, which is a right, not a privilege.

MILITARY BASES AND RECRUITING CENTERS. Banning our military from carrying firearms on bases and at recruiting centers is ridiculous. We train our military how to safely and responsibly use firearms, but our current policies leave them defenseless. To make America great again, we need a strong military. To have a strong military, we need to allow them to defend themselves.

All in, I’m heartened by Trump’s positions. I’m eager to hear your thoughts on these ideas, and please suggest any others you might want to see him adopt if he wins the general election in November.

Comments (44)

Todd,

Anything that Mr. Trump can do to reduce our Federal deficit, say an across the board cut of 5%, would be appreciated. Our progeny can't afford a 20 Trillion dollar debt, which Mr. Sanders would increase to 40 Trillion. Nor do we need Mrs. Clinton, an incompetent unindicted felon, holding the office of President.

Appointing 3 or 4 strict Constitutionalists to the Supreme Court would also be welcomed. I am tired of judges writing law from the bench. It's not their job.

>"There was a reason that the NRA wanted research into gun violence de-funded. I believe it has been a very successful strategy for the gun lobby - because without funding 'the actual statistics remain unknown'."

Continuing to Steve 189: The dems are on record as instructing their members to deliberately mislead voters and the public by downplaying their real objectives of gun ownership elimination. That's what has happened in Australia, Britain, most of the EU and in tyrannies all over the world. Hillary and Schumer will never understand. Its not about Schumer being a loyal American---that has never been the issue. The issue is he thinks we have little or no right to own guns. Period. As Lilly Tomlin use to say on her TV show "and that's the truth, sphhttt!"

The "gun control" issue is simply one of civil rights of American citizens and LEGAL residents. The founders intent was made perfectly clear in their writings, the PEOPLE were to be armed to the same standard of the military for the defense of state, nation and self. The current standard(s) are intermediate caliber, 30 round magazine fed select fire rifle and fifteen round magazine fed pistol caliber sidearm. Any restriction by any government level limiting the access of law abiding citizens to these personal weapons is patently unconstitutional and against the laws of God. Such laws have been found by the courts to be null, void and without force or effect. A "gun buy-back" as proposed by the apparent Democratic candidate is a patently unconstitutional deprivation of property without due process of law. Any transaction forced on one party by the other, no matter what the price, is coercion and a similar violation of due process and contract law. On the issue of carry reciprocity, Article 8, section 1 of the Constitution plainly commands the states to give "full faith and credit" to the acts of the others. Court decisions to the contrary are obvious cases of legislation by judicial fiat, and of as much value as the fiat "money" currently worth a mere three percent of face value.

For me, it looks like the upcoming election cycle will be a choice between bad and worse. Trump presents an inconsistent track record, but he currently speaks glowingly of our 2nd Amendment. I consider him potentially bad. Clinton has floated along the centerline on some issues...except gun rights. Her proclamation that the Heller decision was wrong coupled with a professed interest in Australian-style gun control sends chills down my spine. Obviously I consider her option to be worse.

Nick, I didn't mean to be so abrupt - you went out of your way to martial facts in order to present a rational argument. Let me be more complete.

I think it was Twain who said "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics!"

There was a reason that the NRA wanted research into gun violence de-funded. I believe it has been a very successful strategy for the gun lobby - because without funding the actual statistics remain unknown.

I suspect that better police work and better education and a better economy has lead to a reduction in crime, but without analyzing the statistics we don't know the real reason. It does not follow however that a reduction in crime has a direct correlation with a reduction in gun violence.

As for Clinton, she has never said that she would take away guns or that she would ban the sale of guns in general. I believe that she is in favor of limiting magazine capacity and of limiting some firearm models. I remember her speeches in Pennsylvania when she ran against Obama ... she spoke about learning to hunt with her father.

She and I are also in favor of a universal comprehensive background check. Such a check would probably need to have a comprehensive national database. Clinton and I are not alone in that desire - in fact over 90% of the US population is in favor of such a background check procedure.

I am a shooter too - and I put my money and my efforts where my mouth is. I have met Schumer at DNC functions - as well as Harry Reid, who I know better and who I think has a balanced gun control view. I can assure you that guys like Schumer and Reid are just as worried about our Country as any of us - and I give them credit for devoting their lives to the People's business. I can't say the same for Trump. What he's said in the past about important issues is completely different from his position this last year. I will work hard to defeat him.

Lastly, I see no reason for us to worry about this sport - and I applaud the editors for allowing all of us to express our opinions. I predict that Gun Tests will continue to flourish under the next President - and of course it's anybody's guess who she will be! :-)

Everyone talking to Steve189----- this dope is just pulling our strings. He is having fun by being a moronic democrat (please excuse the oxymoron). If we were all sitting around talking, he would have nothing to say, but he is like the telephone-tough-guy that is all mouth until you do a meet-and-greet. Then he turns into Mr. Meek. We will always have punks like this invading legit on-line conversations. I'm done with this thread..... Steve189 doesn't wantbto talk to me anymore....boo-hoo! Steve189 - get a life, punk. To the rest of you guys, hold the line! We will take our country back!

Nick, I agree with just about everything Clinton
says. There has been no substantive government research into GUN violence in many years. The reason is that the gun lobby got legislation passed years ago forbidding almost all government funding of such studies. FBI stats are not probative of these issues.

We all know that mass shootings have increased. Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, the Batman theatre shootings to name just three.

All involved mentally disturbed shooters who still were able to arm themselves.

Clinton wants a universal background check for all gun sales and transfers and so do I.

" I really support everything President Obama said he would do through regulation on guns but we're going to start the very first day and tackle the gun lobby to try to reduce the outrageous number of people who are dying from gun violence in our country."

Later, the candidate spoke of her party's chances of taking control of the Senate, stating,

" The Democrats have decided they will be led by Chuck Schumer and Chuck Schumer has been one of the most effective legislators in taking on the gun lobby. He and I worked together to get the Brady bill passed way back in my husband's administration. So I think that it's the kind of issue you have to start early, you have to work on it every day and we need to make it a voting issue."

A visibly agitated Clinton concluded her remarks on the subject by noting,

"I'm going to keep talking about it, and we are going to make it clear that this has to be a voting issue. If you care about this issue, vote against people who give in to the NRA and the gun lobby all the time."

------------------

"... to try to reduce the outrageous number of people who are dying from gun violence in our country."

Every year the FBI compiles the most accurate and impartial accounting of crime in the United States. The "FBI Uniform Crime Report" is available online for all to see. It gives people the opportunity to understand trends in crime and investigate the impact of various policies on the crime rate in the United States. Gun control activists like Shannon Watts (spokesperson for Michael Bloomberg's Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety campaigns) continue to assert that there is a "gun violence epidemic" in the United States. In fact, for the 12th straight year in a row. . . the violent crime rate (including the murder rate) has decreased. Gone down. Been reduced. The exact opposite of what you would expect with an "epidemic."

Steve189- stick it. Patriots don't put their own spin on the constitution. They don't compromise because the only one that wins in a compromise is the wrong one. I paid for the right to speak my mind, as a matter of fact, I paid for yours, too, in blood. Democrats are a plague of easy-way-out liberals who have been destroying this country every chance they get. They want everything for free, including their freedom. You and I, like all other patriots and democrats, are at war so civility is out the door. You know, it's not to late to serve your country.......stop being a democrat and vote for whoever runs against the traitor, Clinton.

"...
she is a politician, & knows how to compromise. In fact when you look at most of her policies she's closer to being a Republican, which is why Sanders has been so successful against her. Many of her statements on gun control are in reaction to Sanders and will melt away in the political world after the election. She's an incrementalist, not a revolutionary, whereas Trump is a fascist egomaniac. I feel much more confident that I will hold on to my Sig & CZ & S& W & Beretta Etc. in a Clinton world than a Trump world.

Posted by: Richard69 | May 19, 2016 9:04 PM Report this comment"

From your rather ignorant comments, you have not been paying attention.

You, Richard, need to actually read Hillary's emails; especially the Benghazi emails and the 'Top Secret' Hillary 'private server' discussions.
Hillary in private, is an absolute totalitarian egotist. She was preening and upset about her latest poll when she should have been in direct contact with our teams in Benghazi. By rights she should be charged as accessory to murders.

You also need to read the information and handlings of the Clinton Foundation. Foreign governments, corporations and the extreme wealthy are tapped for 'donations' and payments.
If Obama's Department of Justice acted like an honest Department of Justice, the Clinton Foundation would be investigated. Just because the whole setup resembles a 'pay for play' or extortion racket.

Hillary has been, since before Bill Clinton's presidency, an extreme gun-control activist.

Hillary is inexperienced and incompetent. All of Hillary's so-called experience is second hand as a peanut gallery observer.

Hillary views herself as one of the 1% elite who deserves your adulation and caviar while common folks deserve to lose their houses. Hillary is a totalitarian socialist; your work, money and property are the governments, while Hillary's money and property are hers exclusively.

"... I think our gun rights are pretty firmly is place at the moment. No bans, much easier to get a carry permit except in crazy states like CA-NJ-MA and the BATF is even making it easier to get suppressors now. After all the paranoia about Obama being in office what did we lose? Nothing except low prices on guns and ammo because of the buying frenzy.

Wow. I think this is my longest post ever. At any rate, I hope everyone considers all the issues when they vote this year. And I seriously hope we have better candidates to vote for in the future.

Posted by: Ponagathos | May 19, 2016 11:08 AM"

Just Hillary's or Sander's effects on the Supreme Court makeup would devastate American citizens with several Amendments getting destroyed; not just the 2nd.

From Erik N:
"...If you want to look at a presidential candidate with a consistent record on gun rights, look at Bernie Sanders..."

Bernie Sander has publicly renounced his 'positive' votes against Vermont 'Gun Control' efforts. Bernie has also publicly supported most of 'Gun Control's' preferred next steps.

Bernie is a wuss politician who prefers to pander while destroying American free will and capitalism. As a strong international negotiator, Bernie is a non-starter.
Bernie is an avowed socialist; meaning more government regulations, more government nanny state, more financial burdens upon the upper and middle class Americans supporting all of that 'government' oversight.

Steve189- you are the dope that offered the obama-style beer summit, so where are you? I'll come.....with a brain transplant for you. I can see you don't understand the gravity of this situation by your civility comment. I am in a struggle for my country's and my family's survival and, just as I did in the paddies and jungle in 1969, I will go for the throat...... No half measures or Mr. Niceguy. So if you expect civility from a patriot when you are trying to help destroy what he is standing for, you'll get the same surprise as my former adversaries. This disabled vet is willing to give the rest of what I have left kicking the butt of traitors who would continue the destruction of our country that the present dictator started by electing his twin sister. Get your head out of you ass!

"...
Folks were glad to sell - and other folks were glad that they were purchased reasonably - and were them out of circulation. Win Win.

Posted by: Steve189 | May 19, 2016 8:52 PM"

And that quote is a bald faced lie at worst or a massive misrepresentation at best.

The vast majority of "buy-backs" are unmitigated failures with broken relics and antiques being the majority of guns turned in.
That is, whatever the 'buy-back' purchase amount is set for, usually $50-$75, what is turned in is worth less; with occasional mistakes.

The 'buy-backs' Hillary Clinton supports are mandatory buy-backs. That Australia gun control she keeps drooling about, that is about mandatory firearms relinquishment from citizens.

A very totalitarian move. How fitting for a very totalitarian narcissistic egotist Hillary.

Anyone who could vote for Clinton does not care about the deplorable state that our country has devolved to after seven plus years of the Obama presidency. We cannot stand another four or eight years of these policies. The economy has not recovered, despite how the spin doctors spin their statistics. Our enemies don't fear us and our friends can't trust us. Terrorism has been allowed to expand exponentially.

If Clinton is elected she will doom the considered opinions of Justice Scalia by nominating two or three Supreme Court justices who would dismantle what has become settled law in interpreting that our 2nd amendment applies to individual rights of gun ownership.

Whatever Donald Trump will do regarding gun ownership rights has got to be better than what Ms. Clinton has stated she would like to do...require guns be sold to the government and destroyed, as they have done in Australia.

Mr. Trump's statement about his opinions on gun ownership and rights are just what most level-headed gun enthusiasts want to hear.

If you don't vote for Trump, you're casting a vote for Hillary. That she is even a viable candidate to so many Americans is frightening!

Lindsay Graham said a while back that the choice between Trump & Ted Cruz was the choice between being shot or poisoned. He said he'd go with Cruz because maybe there's an antidote to poison, but not to being shot. I think these comments apply to Trump & Clinton. Trump has only one loyalty: himself. He will shoot the Republican Party & the Constitution in the head if it gives him even a slight advantage. As others have pointed out, he does not respect the other Amendments, so why believe it when he says he'll respect the 2nd? Add to that the fact that he would bankrupt the country (his chosen mode of doing business) & he has zero credibility with the military, who see him for the narcissistic fool he is. If he's the loose cannon who will shoot us at his whim, Clinton may be the poison, but there is an antidote: the system of checks & balances that has gotten us through a very long history. Congress will be no more hospitable to her than to Obama, & unlike Trump, she is a politician, & knows how to compromise. In fact when you look at most of her policies she's closer to being a Republican, which is why Sanders has been so successful against her. Many of her statements on gun control are in reaction to Sanders and will melt away in the political world after the election. She's an incrementalist, not a revolutionary, whereas Trump is a fascist egomaniac. I feel much more confident that I will hold on to my Sig & CZ & S& W & Beretta Etc. in a Clinton world than a Trump world.

To STEVE189------- I would love to meet you for that beer, bozo, but you conveniently left out any contact info, tough guy. Interesting that you want a beer summit like you muslim-brotherhood president did. Please, Steve189, leave your contact info. Maybe we could get your traitor friend, madam secretary, to come too. Wow, what an opportunity to "educate" two morons.

"Certainly one of the chief guarantees of freedom under any government, no matter how popular and respected, is the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. This not to say that firearms should not be very carefully used and that definite safety rules of precaution should not be taught and enforced. But the right of citizens to bear arms is just one more guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against a tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible."

"Clinton will limit her attempts to control gun sales to the same extent that the President has done. There is no evidence to the contrary."

Evidence:

Hillary Clinton says a gun buyback program similar to the one Australia implemented in 1996 is "worth considering" in the United States.

"I don't know enough details to tell you how we would do it or how it would work, but certainly the Australia example is worth looking at," Clinton said at a New Hampshire town hall on Friday.

"I don't know enough details to tell you how we would do it or how it would work, but certainly the Australia example is worth looking at," Clinton said at a New Hampshire town hall on Friday.

The Democratic presidential front-runner said data indicate the Australian program reduced the number of firearms in circulation by paying citizens to turn over their weapons.

"The Australian government, as part of trying to clamp down on the availability of automatic weapons, offered a good price for buying hundreds of thousands of guns, and then they basically clamped down going forward in terms of having, you know, more of a background-check approach, more of a permitting approach," Clinton said.

The Australian government purchased more than 650,000 guns from citizens in the compulsory 1996 buyback program.

When all this political stuff started, I made up my mind that I would vote republican, no matter who it was. The main reason is because I have very strong feelings about firearm rights. a lot of the other things that will come up in government will work itself out. And while Trump is overboard on some issues, I think that being a business man, if he doesn't know about a problem, he will be able to find someone that does know about it. You don't need to know everything, you just have to have the know how to put the right people there. How can you even think about putting Clinton in that position, with all the lies and side stepping that she has done already. The anti gun people blame the guns for all the trouble. It's not the gun, but the hand, and mind that's holding the gun that is the problem. Come on people, quit taking the easy way out.
Mike

When all this political stuff started, I made up my mind that I would vote republican, no matter who it was. The main reason is because I have very strong feelings about firearm rights. a lot of the other things that will come up in government will work itself out. And while Trump is overboard on some issues, I think that being a business man, if he doesn't know about a problem, he will be able to find someone that does know about it. You don't need to know everything, you just have to have the know how to put the right people there. How can you even think about putting Clinton in that position, with all the lies and side stepping that she has done already. The anti gun people blame the guns for all the trouble. It's not the gun, but the hand, and mind that's holding the gun that is the problem. Come on people, quit taking the easy way out.
Mike

I will be voting for Secretary Clinton and not for Trump. I'm not interested in voting for someone with zero political experience or for someone who just makes stuff up, and that is what Trump is all about. I'm not willing to trust Trump at the helm of the ship of State. End of story.

Regarding the second amendment - It is my belief that gun ownership is a privilege and not a right. If you want to know why I'm happy to buy you a beer and sit down and chat about it.

Regarding Trump's platform, I think that 1) 10 rounds in a magazine is enough. If you can't hit it with 10 shots - then you better go take a lesson. 2) Background checks need to be uniform and tightened up so that there is a background check in the case of EVERY sale or transfer of a firearm. Complete psych records and criminal records need to be checked during the background check, and there clearly needs to be a national database. To those opposed I ask "What are you afraid of?" "What are you hiding?" 3) I don't want folks with concealed firearms near me or my family. If you want to carry a weapon go become a law enforcement officer - or take it to the range - because I don't trust you with a concealed firearm and 4) Military bases are guarded to the extent the Commander orders - the rest of this argument is total baloney.

When President Obama was elected there was hysterical talk that he was going to take all of our guns away. It's the same baloney that we read hear about Clinton now - in political posts like this one. The firearm companies and ammunition manufacturers have flourished in every single year of President Obama's two terms. Clinton will limit her attempts to control gun sales to the same extent that the President has done. There is no evidence to the contrary.

Finally folks - there is a lot more to the US Constitution and to the laws of our USA than the 2d Amendment - and conversely there is very little substance to Trump. What you've seen is what we'll get. Not for me, thank you very much. Furthermore I am pretty involved in State Politics and in Federal Politics and I will work hard to make sure that Trump loses in November.

Response to Ponagathos.......... The story about the old woman is false. Look it up. She wanted more and got it. Bankruptcy is a legal remedy allowed by law. Don't like it? Change the law. That $3 million inheritence is BS, too. You are a regular reader of the NYT and WaPo, I'll bet. Dude, check your facts before looking like a fool. Under obama's shield more people have lost their second ammendment rights...... NY safe act, CT assault weapon laws. Do me a favor, stick to the antigun sites, you fit in really well there. Your ignorance of reality is astounding. Or is Ponagathos a pen name for Debbie Wasserman Schultz?

This is in response to (Ponagathos) who made the statement at the start of his post "How can you beleive anything that Trump says he will say do do anything to get what he wants"! Well what he has forgotten or just does not want to admit is that every politician has and will do the exact same thing! They all ( Democrats and Republicans ) have done this ever since I was old enough to understand! It is a crying shame when the American people are forced to vote for the LESSER OF THE TWO EVILS! And since both of the two major parties in politics have become crooks worse than Bonnie and Clyde, the only difference is that they can't be tied to people who have been killed because they were in their way of doing what they wanted to do and not what they were elected to do! And if you vote Democrat then you are saying that our forefathers did not have a clue about what a government would do to control you and get what they want! You see the democrat thinking is (1) A baby in the womb created by our God has no rights until they are born and take their first breath! With this being the way they feel I know that there are some Democrats who say that they are good Christians, I ask how can you say kill an unborn baby so that a person does not have to be responsible for their actions! And this is just what abortion is for, so that people don't have to be responsible for their action! (2) The democrats beleive that the Second Amendment should be removed from our Constitution! The Democrats do not think that our forefathers knew what they were doing when they wrote the Constitution! They have forgotten that these people had just defeated a government that was controlling them completely and they knew the things that needed to be there! The Second Amendment is one of the most important things that was put in the constitution because without this we would have no defense against a curupt government! They want to do just what Hitler did in Germany so that the people had no way to defend themselves from a curupt government! And just look at what Hitler did after he collected all the guns so that nobody could stop him from doing what ever he wanted to do! If you will search history you will find that every country that let the government to take away their defense only to rely on the government to defend them, they all admit that this was their worst mistake!
I do not agree with every word that Trump says, however I know that this once great country will survive a Trump Presidency but if a Democrat is elected there will not be a Country where you can achieve the American Dream if you work hard enough! The Democrats want to make the USA a communist country!

Todd: Good on you for stepping up to a controversial issue. Most would take my Dads advice and avoid politics and religion. We cannot do that this time. Too much to lose.

Good on all you folks for staying on topic. not using vulgarities, no accusatory rage, etc. Its your right to say most anything you wish. I support the first amendment as much as the second. My belief in these principles is the main reason "I stood up in the door" during Vietnam. That was a war the morons in Washington made very difficult to be in. Who wants to die or be maimed when a fool like JBJ will not win, but not walk away from, a civil conflict we had no business being part of in the first place? That idiot spent his time in the Whitehouse basement(now the "Situation Room") and actually pored over maps selecting the tiniest of villages and clearings to be bombed. God help and protect us from his like. You may have noticed our leaders of both parties have a piss poor record in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq. Seems they are too egotistical to learn wars are much easier to get into than out of. No troops should EVER be committed unless WE INTEND TO WIN.

God Bless our men and women who are volunteering for military service. Everyone agrees they are the best we have ever produced. We own it to them and ourselves to insure who we vote for will fight FOR the constitution--all of it-- and hold them accountable if they are subverted by special interests. We know the limitations Hillary has and will continue to have. Trump is a cipher. Will he keep his promises?? God help us if he turns out to be another liar, crook, incompetent. If he is elected I truly wish him well. We all should, we all must.

My problem with any politician, at any level, is that most will lie like hell to fool us into giving them our vote. Of these two nominees, Hillary is a proven liar as was Bill. Believe me, if you vote for Hillary we will get Bill along with her, not other possibility exists. That said, Trump is about the same. He is a public product of 13 years of televised nonsense. Anyone who thinks any "reality" show is not scripted should lie down and go to sleep--they're dreaming. He has more money than God, two (or is it three) drop dead gorgeous wives and former wives and two beautiful daughters. Trump , a closet liberal who has used his media savvy to lock onto the anger many Americans feel about the establishment being greedy, indifferent, interested only in re-election through big money campaign contributions and rigged gerrymandering of their districts to insure little or no political competition. About the issue which draws us together here, the immediate concern is the Supreme Court vacancy. The Court is balanced/divided like we voters. Almost evenly. Its started with George W. vs Gore. It was all so close the same Supreme Court finally had to rule as to who won. Take my word, the Justices HATED having to do that, but had no choice--its their job. One choice is to "sit this one out", Can't do it, folks. We must hold our nose and vote for Trump. He is an unknown as to honesty and truthfulness about 2A. We KNOW Hillary will harm our interests, w/o question. We can quickly lose all the ground we have gained for gun rights. CCW carry, silencers, semi-autos, handgun capacity, etc., etc. all down the drain. In the meantime call your Congressman/woman, of either party, and tell them what you think. Get off your butts and get on email, voice mail, text msg, whatever--travel to Washington or your local politicians office and get in their face about how you feel. Trust me, if we make a big enough noise, even the crooks, charlatans, do-nothings, incompetents and assorted dumb shits will hear us. If we do not make that noise we can only blame the "nuts behind the bolts' for letting it happen.

One last comment which may help place things in a better perspective concerning Donald Trump.

I'm in construction - I started out as an apprentice carpenter and came up through the trade and am president of my own firm. My project resume includes projects both foreign and domestic, pubic sector, private sector and military, ranging in values up to nearly $400M. One of my major subcontractors is a local, medium-sized architectural millwork firm who provided the architectural millwork (subcontract was worth several million dollars) for the Trump National Golf Course Resort, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula near Los Angeles. Said subcontractor is an excellent firm of high integrity and they place a great deal of weight on the honesty and integrity of those that they deal with - liars and thieves don't earn respect or a second chance.

I asked them specifically about their experience dealing with Donald Trump and his organization. Their reply actually surprised me in that they said the following about Trump specifically, as well as his organization in general:

(1) excellent client;
(2) well-versed in construction and architectural millwork;
(3) fair and honest in business negotiations and dealings;
(4) always paid his bills on time;
(5) pleasant to deal with on a personal level;
(6) never derisive/dismissive of others and never rude - no cheap shots

Now in construction (similar to a lot of other lines of business), we value honesty and integrity (unfortunately, a rate commodity these days) to a high degree. Although the days of handshake contracts are long gone, dealing with someone who never fails to honor the written contract and who is always honest and reasonable even while being demanding of a high-level of quality and schedule commitment, means a great deal to us. The personal feedback that I've received directly from persons whom I know to be of high integrity and concerning business dealings with Donald Trump, has all been positive.

Sounds good on paper but how can you possibly believe anything that comes from Trump? He will say or do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Remember when Nixon thought he could do anything because he was president? I do not because I was an infant, but have seen the documentaries. Imagine someone with Trump's ego.

The first time I remember hearing his name, I was a kid. It was a news story about him harassing an old women who did not want to move because he wanted the land for one of his casino projects. He is a bully in business and would be one as president.

And sure, he has made many business deals. That does not mean he knows how to run a country. Or that he is capable of compromising to get anything done. He also has had several bankruptcies. Sure, you could argue they were smart moves to protect assets but pretty sure you do not get to do that with a country.

He somehow seems to think he is a self made man when he inherited 300-something million when his father died. No one is sure exactly how much he is worth but every time a newspaper investigates the trend seems to be he lies to the upside to aggrandize himself. Often to the tune of several billion dollars. The funny thing is that just taken his inheritance and put it in an index fund, he would be worth about the same. So much for his business acumen.

I know all gun magazines I read are going to err on the side of supporting whoever seems most gun friendly. I hope the readers will think about issues than just gun rights. I think our gun rights are pretty firmly is place at the moment. No bans, much easier to get a carry permit except in crazy states like CA-NJ-MA and the BATF is even making it easier to get suppressors now. After all the paranoia about Obama being in office what did we lose? Nothing except low prices on guns and ammo because of the buying frenzy.

Wow. I think this is my longest post ever. At any rate, I hope everyone considers all the issues when they vote this year. And I seriously hope we have better candidates to vote for in the future.

We all know Trump's positions over the years have changed. We all know of Bitcho's positions, also. She promises to eliminate guns and the second ammendment's relevence to individual rights. The people, to her, means the government in relation to the 2nd. Bernie is a communist and it doesn't matter what he says, he can't be trusted. You youngsters read back into the history of communism to see what weight commie promises carry. We are going to have to make the only possible choice here. We know the others are our enemies, we need to vote for Trump. Anything else is putting 6 rounds in your GP100 and playing russian roulette.

There is no question whatsoever that anyone who values the 2nd Amendment and America as it was before the elitist/leftist evil represented by the Clintons and the Obamas, should not fail to vote for Trump.

We've got a long way to go to rebuild America to what it was and what it should be once again. That can't happen if Clinton, Saunders or another Obama-clone - i.e., Elizabeth "I'm 1/48th Native American and I deserve special priviledges" Warren, should ever become President. Granted, Trump has a ways to go in order to assure Conservatives that he's really what he says he is, but at least he's headed in the right direction - i.e., totally against and derisive of the Clintons - to start with. After we get him in into the Oval Office, we can overwatch him in order to assure that he stays on the Right Path. Besides, it's entertaining as Hell to watch/hear him loudly and clearly deride Bill and Hillary in public - something that the Main Stream Media has forever avoided like the plague. Hey, the guy likes to fight for what he wants and what red-blooded American doesn't?!!

This Election more than any other, it's vitally important for Conservatives, Moderates and Constitution-loving Democrats (OK, that last-named cohort might constitute a contradiction-in-terms nowadays, but I figure that there must be a few and if there are then at least some subscribe to Gun-Tests.com), to vote for Donald Trump for President and to vote the "Republican" ticket down the line. No one who would not otherwise vote for Clinton, has earned the "right" to stay home and not vote just because he/she is somehow turned off by Trump. In this world, few things are perfect (well OK, the Bill of Rights IS perfect), but the deadly effect that Hillary Clinton will exert on the US Supreme Court and the 2nd Amendment for at least a generation if not forever, must be avoided at all costs and Trump has already indicated that his potential SCOTUS picks are sound Conservative-minded candidates, while his positions on the 2nd Amendment and illegal immigration are also spot-on.

I have no faith in Trump. He's an ignorant con-man and a serial liar -- his entire campaign has been a circus of lies, character assassination, multiple positions on most issues, and he's been a liberal Democrat (and anti-gun) nearly all his life. There's little evidence that he's changed from his former position (other than him saying so), and I don't expect his general policy to differ much from what Hillary would do, except in degree.

That said -- we know what Hillary would do, and if he is the only alternative, Trump couldn't be any worse, and he might be better. At least, he's less ideologically driven than Hillary, more in favor of Donald than socialism, and more inclined to compromise, since he has no principles to compromise. If it comes down to a choice between the two, I'll have to vote for Trump -- but I won't like it. I hope he proves me wrong and stands up for the Constitution, but he hasn't shown any sign of it so far.

Todd, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I served in the Military for 7 1/2 years in the late '60s and early 70's. I've never forgotten my Oath. Every Vet and Troop needs to remember their Oath, and save America; and VOTE TRUMP! There is no option.

For me, it boils down to dealing with Trump who I believe will support the 2A vs. Hillary who we know going in wants to gut the 2A and the RKBA...a lot of us are watching Trump like a hawk, ready to pounce if he starts to backpedal.

Trump is in too far to start reneging on his platforms, his reputation is now on the line and he'll never recover if he starts to reverse his course and 'throw the voters under the bus'.

I strongly backed Ted Cruz, but now that Trump is the candidate who will oppose Hillary, I am strongly supporting him. He is a long way from being my perfect choice, but he is also a long way from being as destructive as Hillary will be to our way of life. Under Hillary, we can expect 3 or 4 Supreme Court justices added who will strongly emasculate the 2nd Amendment by deciding that It only applies to a formal militia such as the army or the national guard. Once that happens, confiscation will follow. You can count on that!!!

It's unbelievable that anyone still focuses on what Trump is saying about any issue. Whatever he says is history to him as soon as the words leave his mouth, unless it is directly related to his cravings for grandiosity. When he says he'll never touch Social Security I start to calculate how long I will be able to survive without it.

I'm not willing to trade one set of rights for the other. Trump's also made it clear he'll put heavy burdens on reporters and the news which are normally protected by the 1st Amendment; he's proposed revisions to the 14th amendment; and he's put serious strain on his credibility by proposing that legislation that undercuts the spirit of the 4th Amendment as well. He presents himself as a Constitutionalist only insofar as it gets him votes, and since the 2nd Amendment is a hot-button topic, that's an easy one for him to do nothing but tread water with while subtly attacking many other important freedoms. Remember that up until very recently he was a registered member of the DNC and had come out strongly in favor of-- and funding-- gun bans in New York, including the assault Weapons ban.

If you want to look at a presidential candidate with a consistent record on gun rights, look at Bernie Sanders. As a member of Vermont's senate he's consistently voted against federal gun oversight laws, and when he says 'reasonable restrictions' on guns, he is talking about not selling to felons or domestic abusers. Reasonable restrictions, -and- room for discussion and middle ground. The most he's said about assault weapons is a few sound bytes about how there needs to be a 'discussion' and he will heed the voting conscience of ALL Americans.

I am much more confident of the direction the country will go under Trump than Clinton. I am no psychiatrist, but I think Trump is doing this for his legacy. Not counting his wives and paramours, I think Trump has enough sense from his business savvy to surround himself with the right people.

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